Hello All,
For interest as there has been lots of debate about values and the market etc. I thought I’d do a Chris Harris and tell you the inside on selling my car and share my experience of putting my Exige up for sale. Firstly as context, I didn’t advertise my car as an experiment, I’ve loved it, i was passionate about buying it and likewise about owning it since, so why sell? Simply because I found it a little isolating on the home front, my wife won’t get in it, and it’s a bit limiting with my young children, I took a view I should make a less selfish purchase and pick up a classic the whole family could share and enjoy.
With the whole market is awash with “crap” old cars that we’re now told are classics that have escalated ridiculously in price, I just wasn’t going to give it away, it’s a marvellous thing. So I pitch it at £38k, it has 25k miles but has been refreshed, and I’m confident it’s as good as any regardless of mileage. I took time to write a comprehensive advert and detail info to answer all the questions I’d assume someone might ask. I was conscious it would be one of the most expensive ones to have been advertised to date. I did only put it up on pistonheads. Pressed submit and awaited the abuse via SELOC. Luckily in the same week someone put an Elise on eBay for £24k so they got the stick 
10 days in I had 3 outright offers, all unseen (one from someone who did know the car). First a dealer at £28k - sure fair but no interest for me. Second from a chap in Monaco, £36k upon an independent garage inspection and report, I was really adverse to the car leaving the UK, but it was an honest offer. The last £35k from a UK buyer,again very honest, and an immidiate purchase.
At which point I told my family, my wife told me I was being ridiculous, I’d always regret it, and I needed to have a serious rethink! My daughter hid the garage keys and my son refused to speak to me. Apparently they have all suddenly become Lotus fans?! Go figure, I thought I was doing something for them, they all think it’s noisy, smelly and compromising, but they don’t want it to leave.
So I’ve withdrawn the advert, will apologise to the people who made offers, and get back to being an Exige owner. Last time I take a family decision.
I can’t say I’m upset about the outcome, the episode has only pushed me to remind myself why I wanted one so badly to start with. Positively it has also provided some confidence in terms of values, but more inside my family than £’s.
I’m going to stop worrying about miles, I’ve booked the car at month end to have a retune and verniers fitted to ease its drivability and hope to see people at an event in the future.
